Last 6 February 2023, the Commission on Audit (COA) issued an Audit Observation Memorandum (AOM) to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) noting the overpayment of the Terminal Leave Benefits (TLBs) previously paid, upon the instruction and approval of the previous management of the PCO, to its separated officials and employees due to non-deduction of forfeited mandatory/forced leave and payments with incomplete documentary requirements totaling to P26,773,148.47.<!–more–>

Immediately after the receipt of the AOM, the current management of the PCO replied to COA regarding the corrective measures being undertaken: 1) demand letters were issued to the separated employees requiring them to refund the overpaid TLBs; and, 2) review of the approved TLB applications and submission of the incomplete requirements.

To date, PCO has already claimed the refund of the overpaid TLBs from thirty-eight (38) separated personnel amounting to P824,625.37, which was already deposited to the Bureau of Treasury, while the remaining seven (7) separated personnel committed to refund the remaining amount of P203,956.96.

With regard to the incomplete documents, the Human Resource Development Division has already submitted the Statement of Assets Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) of the separated officials and employees to COA.

The Legal Division Chief has likewise previously noted in the clearance forms of the separated officials and personnel that they had no pending administrative cases nor involvement in any pending investigations.

The PCO remains committed to ensuring that all internal processes and procedures are compliant with existing and applicable rules and regulations. <strong>#</strong>